This project has been made possible by a large number of people and organizations. They have all contributed to the success of the project.

Mark Swindell of Invermere B.C. initially showed me the site and raised concern over the extent of erosion and the loss of its archaeological values.  Mark’s continued concern and enthusiasm for the archaeological resources of the Columbia Trench is greatly appreciated.

The project was supported by the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Tribal Council and the cooperation of Tom Munson and Laura McCoy is greatfully acknowledged.  Chief Paul Sam of the Shuswap Band and Chief Gayle Michel of the Columbia Lakes Band also supported the project. 

Funding for the project was provided by the Living Landscapes Program sponsored by Columbia Basin Trust and the Royal British Columbia Museum.  Additional funding was provided by Kootenay National Park, the Western Canada Service Centre of Parks Canada (Calgary), the Federal Youth Public Service Internship Program (Career Edge) and an anonymous donor.  Ross MacDonald of Kootenay National Park and Lillian Rose arranged for funding of the school programs provided by the Friends of Kootenay National Park.

Columbia Lakes Elder Phyllis Nicholas provided the prayer for the start of the excavations.  The interest and advice of the Columbia Lakes and Shuswap Elders Phyllis Nicholas, Jenny Alpine, Frank Sam, Martina Nicholas, and Sabina Cote provided an important perspective on the project.

Lillian Rose did a superb job of organizing the opening ceremony, coordinating information meetings for the elders and excavating at the site.  Stacy Kozakavich served admirably as assistant head archaeologist and put up with some long late nights and early morning drives.  Nicole Shovar, and Basil J. Stevens Jr., were excellent excavators throughout the field project. 

Laverna Stevens (Shuswap Band historian) volunteered her time to explain the significance of First Nations plant use to the many school groups who visited the site.

Liz Croome, Lorrie Storr, and Mike Gair, conservators with Parks Canada, generously arrange to come to the excavations to demonstrate recovery of fragile organic items.  They also volunteered their time to assist with the excavations in the early frost filled days of the excavations.

Diana Cote, First Nations Liaison Officer with BC Department of Forestry, encouraged many of her co-workers to visit the site and her support and enthusiasm is also acknowledged.

Special thanks are due to Jim Stritzel of Manchester, Washington and Al Waller of Calgary who travelled to Invermere to volunteer their time on the excavations.  Several people from the Invermere area also volunteered their time to assist with the excavations including Erron Denby, Murray Davidson, Curtis Gladue, Chis Lynde, Christine Swindell, Justine Swindell, and Mark Swindell.  

Byron Irons and Brian Sheehan, Kootenay National Park, kindly supplied us with a water pump for the screening and kept us supplied with mixed fuel. Larry Halverson of Kootenay National Park also encouraged the project, visited the site several times and provided photographs to the Columbia Basin Trust.

Susan Crockford of Pacific Identifications identified the faunal remains.  Rick Lalonde drafted the maps.

A special note of appreciation is due to my manager, Dr. Martin Magne, Western Canada Service Centre, who has been very supportive throughout this project and allowed me time to conduct this study.

Rod Heitzmann